<html> Hi Joe,               We are kindred spirits re agraffes, and use an almost identical process,   I only change the agraffes if they are damaged.  The new ones only have so, so, machining, and often the string elevation does not match. I like the 0000 steel wool brush brass finish, prior to laquering. Thanks for the tip. Roger At 10:21 AM 8/25/02 -0700, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Well, it's Sunday. And, as I promised the answer is coming. First, a little background. (And, I'm hoping this gets through, as I've sent several clues, etc., that didn't seem to get to the "Digest"...selective editing on someone's part?) <G> Part of rebuilding is the cosmetics, ie make it pretty and take care of the details. Part of that is the agraffes. I must say to Roger, you were close. <G> When I do a restringing, one of the most important things is string termination. Agraffes are a major part of this. Many will replace the agraffes with new ones. I have not found the new ones to be any more superior to the existing ones, when they are properly redone. Hence, the "Mystery Tool(s). First, I dip the agraffes in paint stripper to get the overspray, etc., off. Next, is a bath in "Tarnex" with a good scrubbing, rinsing and drying. The next procedure involves buffing the agraffes to a beautiful golden shine. That is what the "Mystery Tool(s)" are for. Holding the agraffes between fingers, to buff, is difficult, painful and down-right annoying. In the evolution of this tool, we tried making handles out of pinblock material with snug holes to hold the threaded stem of the agraffe. These worked, but wore out quickly. I found myself making numerous "handles" for buffing. Time waster! So, (if you've been following the thread), I made them out of bolts. Turned them on my drill press to the proper dimension and threaded them for the proper thread/diameter agraffe(s). They really work well and save time. (not to mention lessen the pain and frustration of chasing errant agraffes propelled by the buffer, to god knows where in the shop!) I will send a scan of each of the tools in their total configuration after this message. (I'm going to wait until I see this on the Digest) So, no one won the "used pinblock of their choice", but I enjoyed myself, tantalizing you all. <G> Please feel free to copy these tools for your personal use. (If I see one in a catalog, I will sue them! I've already been ripped off by our "suppliers" copying something of mine!) I hope I haven't annoyed too many with this bit of tom-foolery. Best Regards, Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon) Been There, Didn't Like It, So I'm Here To Stay! [G}</blockquote> </html>